Multi-functional motivating exercise equipment

ABSTRACT

A multi-functional exercise machine, whose console has parts that can be slidden, rotated, extended, bended or unfolded so that the console can be transformed into an exercise workstation, comprising an arm supporting component and a computer supporting component for a user to efficiently work with a personal laptop computer free of distractions while doing exercise. The console can be transformed between a normal console and an exercise workstation, so that it can be used for both highly focused extensive exercise and moderate exercise with working or entertaining at same time, in either family or gym environment. The arm supporting component is specially designed to minimize upper body movements and the console supporting assembly is specially designed to minimize vibration and shaking during exercise. The equipment can further comprise a force adjustable body support to decrease load when standing on an exercise machine by supporting predetermined amount of weight, so that a user can do exercise longer while working with a computer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an exercise equipment and, more particularly, to a multi-functional exercise equipment which has a transformable console to allow user to use a personal laptop computer while doing exercise for improving exercise motivation. The equipment can minimize vibration and shaking of the computer and upper body movements during exercise, so that user can comfortably work and enjoy entertainment without distractions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Exercise is a very important activity for modern people, especially for those whose work requires sitting in office for most of time daily. Exercise machines become more and more popular for families. However, what mainly hinders people from doing enough exercise is the competition from entertainment and work. People tend to put more time on work for career advancement and often occupy the time originally planned for exercise. After daily work, people usually get tired, both physically and psychologically, and need some entertainment to get psychological relaxation which can not be obtained from exercise. Once start getting entertainment, more time tends to be consumed than expected. As a result, users of exercise machines often find themselves using those machines less and less since the purchase.

Many users find exercise machines, such as treadmills, elliptical machines and stationary bicycles, monotonous and lose interest after a period. These exercise machines do not offer the psychological satisfaction which outdoor runners usually get from running in new locations away from somewhere familiar. Many outdoor runners enjoy the natural beauty outside and the challenges of making longer distance associated with real scenery. Such stimulation is very difficult to be obtained from common exercise machines. Therefore, many users try to watch TV or listen to music while using exercise machines. However, TV programs are not specifically designed for exercise and different contents results the strength of motivation varying from time to time. Also, the stimulation of music can not last for a long time.

An effective way to solve these issues is combination of a personal computer with an exercise machine, so that exercise can be effectively incorporated with work and flexible entertainment. Virtual reality simulations or video games can generate virtual reality environment and apply exercise movement data to create interactive entertainment, therefore, help to gain both physical exercise and psychological relaxation at the same time. People can also effectively use their time by doing work with personal computers while doing exercise. Therefore, great amount of motivation and benefits can be created with the computer and exercise machine combination.

U.S. Pat. No. 2007/0287597 A1 issued to Cameron discloses a multi-purpose exercise equipment which is able to access internet and do work via a computer system while doing exercise. The exercise equipment is a combination of a computer and a stationary bicycle. However, such system will be much more expensive than a common stationary bicycle. The computer system on the exercise equipment could also be used by many other people, especially in a gym, so it can not be as convenient as a personal computer to maintain exercise data, personal files and do personal work. Moreover, the invention is limited on only stationary bicycles. Many people may prefer other types of exercise machines, such as treadmills and elliptical equipments.

U.S. Pat. No. 2008/0096745 A1 issued to Perry describes a combination office and exercise work station having a desk component, an exercise component and a torso support. This invention provides a solution for working and exercising at the same time. U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,701 issued to Edelson describes a collapsible desk with unique height adjustment features which allow user to change positions and exercise while working. However, the exercise equipment with a desk configuration is more of office equipment than sport equipment. This kind of equipments can not efficiently solve the distraction issue caused by upper body movements during exercise. With these equipments, only treadmill type of exercise components are acceptable and people can only do walking with them, in order to minimize body movement and maintain a fair working efficiency. They are not suitable for those who want to have an intensive exercise or want to use elliptical machines. Some people go to gyms for a motivating environment with many people doing exercise together and may prefer using a common simple console for an intensive exercise. For intensive exercise, people usually can't do complicated computer operation. For the same reason and appearance limitation, this kind of exercise machines is not suitable in gyms. After all, not all customers will bring laptops with them when go to gyms.

There are other prior arts, such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,335,147 B2 issued to Jones et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 2006/0258513 A1 issued to Routley et al., disclose laptop trays or holders that can be mounted to exercise machines and allow people to use laptop computers. However, the trays or holders are extra parts and may not able to be mounted properly for certain designs of exercise machines. Also this type of equipments relies too much on the stability of the exercise machines they are mounted to, and are generally shaky and unstable to hold laptops during exercise. There will be distractions caused by both vibration and shaking of laptop and moving of human body during exercise. As a result, it is difficult to focus on the work using laptops.

Furthermore, for standing exercise machines, people will get tired in a relatively short time, this is not ideal because working and entertainment can easily take hours. For this issue, none of prior arts can provide an effective solution.

In summary, a successful combination of a computer with an exercise machine for improving exercise motivation needs to meet multiple demands: 1) effectively work with personal exercise data, personal work and personal preferred entertainment; 2) satisfy both intensive exercise and moderate exercise. 3) suitable for both families and gyms; 4) minimize vibration and shaking of computer and upper body movements, so that user can work with the computer without distraction; 5) applicable for different types of exercise machines, such as treadmills, elliptical machines and stationery bicycles; 6) capable of decreasing loads for standing exercise machines, so that people can exercise longer with working and entertainment at the same time. The present invention will effectively cover all these features.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an exercise machine, whose console can be slidden, rotated and unfolded to transform into an exercise desk comprising an arm supporter and a computer desk. The combination of the arm supporter and the computer desk is for user to efficiently work with a personal laptop computer free of distractions while doing exercise. The user can place his arm on the arm supporter and type the keyboard of the laptop placed on the computer desk in front of him. The height and the angle can be adjusted for both units. The console can be transformed between a shape of normal console and the exercise desk described above, so that it can be used for both highly focused extensive exercise which only needs simple operation with a normal console and moderate exercise with working or entertaining at same time, in either family or gym environment.

The arm supporter is specially designed to restrict elbow movement and help to support upper body, so that the upper body is naturally stabilized and upper body movements are minimized. In another embodiment, the arm supporter is designed to support shoulder and axillariy so that the upper body movements can be further decreased.

The computer desk can be connected to the arm supporter as a single piece if there is not much vibration and shaking generated by the exercise machine. However, there could be a large amount of vibration and shaking generated by certain types of exercise machines, such as elliptical machines. The connection between the computer desk and the arm supporter can be cushioned or movably connected and extra uprights standing completely independent of the exercise component can be used to support the computer desk. In another embodiment, the computer desk is completely separated from the arm supporter, with extra uprights supporting it independently. The console supporter base and the exercise component is preferred to be movably connected or separated from each other so that the vibration and shaking of the exercise component will not affect the console or the exercise desk during exercise.

With these designs described above, the vibration and shaking of computer desk and upper body movements can both be minimized during exercise. So that user can focus on working and entertaining while doing exercise at the same time.

The equipment can further comprise a force adjustable body supporter, which has a supporter base, a supporter frame, a back cushion, a body supporting component and a means for applying adjustable supporting force. The force adjustable body supporter can further minimize upper body movements, as well as decrease load when standing on an exercise machine by supporting predetermined amount of weight. This will help to protect user's joints and allow for longer exercise while working and entertaining at the same time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a treadmill with a transformable console;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a treadmill with a transformable console converted to an exercise desk;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a transformable console showing how it can be transformed to an exercise desk;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of a transformable console placed on handrails showing how it can be transformed to an exercise desk;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a treadmill with a transformable console converted to an exercise desk and extra uprights to support the computer desk portion; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a treadmill with a transformable console converted to an exercise desk and a force adjustable body supporter.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

This invention provides a solution for improving exercise motivation by applying a transformable console 10 to an exercise machine. FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of a treadmill with a transformable console 10, in its original console form and converted to an exercise desk respectively. The exercise machine has three major components as show in FIG. 1, a transformable console 10, a console supporting assembly 20 and an exercise component 30. The console supporting assembly 20 comprises two uprights 24, a console supporter base 26 and two handrails 22 as the console supporting component on which the transformable console 10 can be slidden and rotated. The exercise component 30 has a motor and housing assembly 32, an exercise belt 34 and two foot rails 36. Both the console supporting assembly 20 and the exercise component 30 have supporting feet 38 and placed on the ground. The supporting feet 38 can be replaced with rollers if needed. When the transformable console 10 is in its original form, the treadmill is just like a common treadmill with a common console which generally has display arrangements 16, operational arrangements 17 and a pulse sensor handle 18. However, after the transformable console 10 is slidden and rotated on the handrails 22 and unfolded with hinges 14, it can be converted to an exercise desk where a user can work with a personal computer.

The exercise desk can simply be a computer desk 11 if there are not much upper body movements during exercise, however, in most cases upper body movements need to be controlled. In the preferred embodiment, the exercise desk has an arm supporter 12 and a computer desk 11, as shown in FIG. 2. The combination of the arm supporter 12 and the computer desk 11 is for a user to efficiently work with a personal laptop computer free of distractions while doing exercise. The user can place his arm on the arm supporter 12 and type the keyboard of the laptop placed on the computer desk 11 in front of him. The height and the angle can be adjusted for both the arm supporter 12 and the computer desk 11. The arm supporter 12 has a forearm supporting component 121 and an upper arm supporting component 122 to restrict elbow movement and help to support upper body, so that the upper body is naturally stabilized during exercise and upper body movements are minimized. The angle of the upper arm supporting component 122 can be adjusted for most comfortable position. The upper arm supporting component 122 can also be extendable to support shoulder or axillary so that the upper body movements can be further decreased.

The transformable console 10 can be converted between shapes of a normal console and the exercise desk described above, so that it can be used for both highly focused extensive exercise which only needs simple operations with a common console and moderate exercise with working or entertaining at same time, in either family or gym environment.

FIG. 3 shows that the transformable console 10 has a front piece 101 and a rear piece 102 that can be unfolded to convert to an exercise desk. The front side of the front piece 101 has an appearance of a common console. The back side of the front piece 101 will become the computer desk 11 and the rear piece 102 will become the arm supporter 12 when fully unfolded. The height difference between the computer desk 11 and the arm supporter 12 is adjustable to fit different laptop heights. The rear piece 102 has sliding rollers 19, which can slide in the sliding dents 21 of the handrails 22, as shown in FIG. 4. Started from the original common console form, the transformable console 10 can slide towards the inner end (close to a user) of the handrails 22. After the inner sliding rollers 19 are taken out of the sliding dents 21, the transformable console 10 can be rotated and fully unfolded. With the fitting dents 23 of the front piece 101 fitting in the handrails 22, the transformable console 10 is converted to its exercise desk form. In order to stabilize the position for the console form and the exercise desk form, the sliding dents 21 can be modified to lock the sliding rollers 19 at proper locations and additional locking parts can also be applied.

It is noted that the transformable console 10 is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, the transformation can be realized not only by unfolding but also by sliding and rotating between the two pieces and the console is not limited with two-piece-structure. Even with a single piece, if the console can be rotated and slidden, it can also be a transformable console 10 with its front side to be used as common console and its back side to be used as an exercise desk. Moreover, the transformable console can have more than two pieces to transform to an exercise desk with extra features. There are extra components of a comment console that should be incorporated into the design of a transformable console 10, such as accessory trays and electrical fans. When converted to an exercise desk, these components should be at proper locations on the exercise desk for a user to use. Electrical fans may be moved to a location of the computer desk 11 after conversion, so that when a laptop computer is placed on, the fans are under the computer and can be used to cool it. When in the exercise desk form, it may also be convenient to have some operational buttons to have necessary control of the exercise machine when working with a laptop computer. There could be many different designs for converting a console to a work station by various methods of folding, sliding, rotating or bending, however, these are all based on the same idea of applying a transformable console 10.

Power cords and signal cords of the transformable console 10 should be properly arranged and positioned, so that they will not be damaged during the conversion process. There should also be a USB cable or wireless connection to connect the transformable console 10 with the laptop computer, so that the exercise machine can be controlled by the computer and exercise movement data can be transferred for interaction. Extra software, such as video games and virtual reality simulations, can be installed to realize the interaction and improve motivation of exercise. Internet is another resource for improving exercise motivation. The computer desk 11 can also be used to work with a keyboard and a mouse for a desktop computer and it can also support a monitor.

The computer desk 11 can be connected to the arm supporter 12 as a single piece if there is not much vibration and shaking generated by the exercise component 30. However, there could be a large amount of vibration and shaking generated by certain types of exercise machines, such as elliptical machines. FIG. 5 shows that extra uprights 28 standing completely independent of the exercise component 30 are applied to support the computer desk 11. The connection between the computer desk 11 and the arm supporter 12 can be cushioned or movably connected to decrease vibration and shaking. In an extreme case, the computer desk 11 is completely separated from the arm supporter 12, with extra uprights 28 supporting it independently. The console supporter base 26 and the exercise component 30 is preferred to be movably connected, cushioned, or separated from each other so that the vibration and shaking of the exercise component 30 will not affect the console or the exercise desk during exercise. Moreover the exercise component can have a cushion device or a vibration absorption device to control the source of vibration and shaking.

With these designs described above, the vibration and shaking of computer desk 11 and upper body movements can both be minimized during an exercise. So that people can focus on working and entertaining while doing exercise at the same time.

As shown in FIG. 6, the equipment can further comprise a force adjustable body supporter 40, which has a body supporter base 48, a supporter frame 46, a back cushion 44, a body supporting component 42 and a means for applying adjustable supporting force 50. The force adjustable body supporter 40 can further minimize upper body movements, as well as decrease load when standing on an exercise machine by supporting predetermined amount of weight. This will help to protect user's joints and allow for longer exercise while working and entertaining at the same time. A seat is one way to support human body and there are other ways to achieve the same purpose as a body supporting component. The back cushion 44 is for a user to further stabilize and get more rest for the upper body.

In the preferred embodiment, the means for applying adjustable supporting force 50 comprises a pneumatic spring assembly 52, a pressure gauge 54, a pressure relief valve 56 and an air compressor 58. The pneumatic spring assembly 52 has a pneumatic spring inside of a height adjustable housing to support the body supporting component 42. The pressure gauge 54 is for measuring the air pressure inside the pneumatic spring assembly 52. If the supporting force needs to be increased, one can use the air compressor 58 to increase the air pressure of the pneumatic spring assembly 52, so that it can support more weight. If the supporting force is too much, the pressure relief valve 56 is able to decrease the pressure of the pneumatic spring assembly 52 by releasing air. Therefore, the supporting force can be adjusted to a predetermined value before exercise. There are also other ways to achieve the supporting-force-adjustable function, such as using steel springs or using combination of weight stacks, pulleys and cables to pull the body supporting component instead. However, they should all be considered as means for applying adjustable supporting force 48.

Although only treadmills are used to illustrate the invention, all ideas described above are also applicable to other types of exercise machines, such as elliptical machines and stationary bicycles. Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 

1. A multi-functional motivating exercise equipment which enables a user to use a computer or other electronic devices while doing exercise to improve motivation for exercise, comprising: a transformable console which has a structure that can be converted between a normal console and at least one form of exercise workstation, wherein said normal console is a device for a user to perform normal operations for exercise, wherein said exercise workstation is an equipment on which a user can work with a computer or other electronic devices while doing exercise; a console supporting assembly which has at least one console supporting component on which said transformable console is placed and at least one upright which is supporting said console supporting component; an exercise component, for doing exercise.
 2. The exercise equipment of claim 1, further comprising a force adjustable body support, for supporting human body with predetermined amount of force.
 3. The exercise equipment of claim 1, wherein said transformable console is slidable and rotatable on said console supporting assembly and has a single piece structure with a front side which can be used as said normal console and a back side which can be used as said exercise workstation.
 4. The exercise equipment of claim 1, wherein said transformable console is slidable and rotatable on said console supporting assembly and has a structure of at least two pieces that can be unfolded, slidden, rotated, extended or bent to form said exercise workstation.
 5. The exercise equipment of claim 1, wherein said transformable console further comprising at least one electrical fan which can be moved under said computer when said transformable console is converted to an exercise workstation, so that said electrical fan can be used for cooling said computer.
 6. The exercise equipment of claim 1, wherein said transformable console has at least one operational button or switch easily reachable by a user, after said transformable console is converted to an exercise workstation, so that the user can operate said exercise component while working with the computer.
 7. The exercise equipment of claim 1, wherein said exercise workstation comprises an arm supporting component on which a user's arm can be supported and a computer supporting component on which a computer can be placed.
 8. The exercise equipment of claim 7, wherein said arm supporting component comprises a forearm supporting component and an upper arm supporting component for minimizing upper body movements during exercise.
 9. The exercise equipment of claim 8, wherein said upper arm supporting component has a structure which can be extended to support shoulder or axillary so that the upper body movements can be further decreased.
 10. The exercise equipment of claim 7, wherein said arm supporting component and said computer supporting component are movably connected, cushioned or separated to minimize the vibration and shaking of said computer supporting component during exercise.
 11. The exercise equipment of claim 10, further comprising at least one upright which is independent of the exercise component and is supporting said computer supporting component to minimize vibration and shaking.
 12. The exercise equipment of claim 1, wherein said console supporting assembly further comprising a console supporting base on which said upright is placed; wherein said console supporting base is cushioned, movably connected to or separated from said exercise component to minimize vibration and shaking during exercise.
 13. The exercise equipment of claim 1, wherein said exercise component further comprising a cushion device or a vibration absorption device to minimize vibration and shaking during exercise.
 14. The exercise equipment of claim 1, wherein said transformable console further comprising at least one signal connection to said computer for controlling said exercise component through said computer and for transferring exercise movement data which can be used by software such as video games and virtual reality simulations for interaction.
 15. The exercise equipment of claim 2, wherein said force adjustable body support comprises a frame, a body supporting component and a means for applying adjustable supporting force.
 16. The exercise equipment of claim 15, wherein said force adjustable body supporter further comprising a base and a back cushion.
 17. The exercise equipment of claim 15, wherein said means for applying adjustable supporting force comprises a pneumatic spring assembly, a pressure gauge, a pressure relief valve and an air compressor.
 18. The exercise equipment of claim 15, wherein said means for applying adjustable supporting force comprises at least one weight stack, at least one pulley and at least one cable.
 19. A force adjustable body support which support human body with predetermined amount of force to decrease load during exercise, comprising a base, a frame, a body supporting component and a means for applying adjustable supporting force.
 20. A transformable console which can be installed on exercise machines comprising: at least one part which can be unfolded, slidden, rotated, extended or bent, so that said transformable console can be converted between a normal console and at least one form of exercise workstation, wherein said normal console is a device for a user to perform normal operations for exercise, wherein said exercise workstation is an equipment on which a user can work with a computer or other electronic devices while doing exercise. 